Wednesday, November 28, 2012

You have no right to steal, enslave or
murder – but through the dark magic of the ballot box, you can delegate rights
you do not have to a government and euphemistically call them Taxation, Conscription and War.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

From my libertarian perspective, Conservatives have always been a tad frustrating, if not downright disappointing. As a group, they applaud and profess all the fine points of limited governance, speak highly of human rights, Liberty, Freedom and individual responsibility. When prompted, they will extol the virtues of the Bill of Rights - especially #s 1, 2, 9 and 10. However, the 4th and 5th are problematic. Generally, that's due to the fact their most recent hero, Pres. G.W. Bush, hatched the Patriot Act which decimates 4 and 5, doesn't treat 1 or 2 very well and has morphed into a colossus fit for a tyrant most anywhere in the world. Except here in the Land of the so-called Free.

But the sticking point, regardless of logic, objectivity, historical precedent is always God. For a group so enthusiastic and yet sensitive about their religious beliefs, it would seem appropriate for the "separation of Church and State" rallying cry to apply equally to government and governance -- unless you're angling for some sort co-op theocracy. For those on the fringe, it is necessary to post the unnecessary disclaimer about not being against religion, church, God, etc. So there it is. My religious beliefs are mine; yours are yours. Hallelujah, brother! But bringing God into political discussions seems as unseemly for Him as it is for those who toss God/Jesus or any combination into serious political debate. If God has left it up to us to figure all this out, let's get on with it - without calling Him in like some playground bodyguard when the rhetoric gets rough. On the other palm, if God is just biding time before He comes in for the big Armageddon thingy, then why are we wasting our time getting over-heated about Prez -0-, economic cliffs, the never-ending non-debate about abortion, etc. It won't be much longer and we'll all be reaping our just reward, no?

An excellent example of what started this can be found over at my friend Monty Pelerin's excellent Economic Noise. You may have to hop around a bit to put things in chronological order. Or you can enjoy (?) my summary conclusion right here, right now:

Ken – thanks for the stab!

While we agree on the basics (proper function of government),
I fail to see the absolutes placed at the margins. While not a historian or anthropologist, the
essentials of the 10 Commandments were found to be a part of societies not at
all familiar with Christian dogma. Killing, stealing, etc., were and are pretty
much no-no’s in every civilization. If determining
“right from wrong” is the sole purview of a Supreme Being, how do free moral
agents make those distinctions without regular Divine communication? The likely
answer is prayer and consultation with the Bible. But that still begs the
question: how do agnostics/atheists’/non-Christians manage to make proper moral
choices every day while simultaneously eschewing such direction? Does Morality require belief in a Supreme Being? Must
all sentient beings attend Sunday School to learn God does not approve of stealing
and murder without risk of becoming one of the FBI’s Most Wanted?

“Our standard to emulate is the Lord
Jesus Christ.” Who is the “Our” to whom you refer? Americans? Baptists?
People-Related-To-Ken? What if one doesn't accept Jesus Christ as their Lord? I
understand the Hooray For Our Side – but isn't it presumptuous to categorically
eliminate vast swaths of similarly constructed free moral agents who have
learned a different history and set of rules that respect Jesus, yet see him
mostly as an important historical figure who did good works?

“It IS, “too bad” for those who reject
Christ. The Founders attempted to make it clear their plan for government would
work only for a moral and religious people and that Liberty is possible only
with a citizenry educated in the principles involved.” If, by principles, you
mean Christian principles and it is
those in which the citizenry must be educated, then the America envisioned by
the Founding Dads would, of necessity, have to excluded Jews, Buddhists and
any/all other religions that did not revere Christian principles. And yet, the
First Amendment doesn't bother to make that distinction. Why do you suppose
that is?

I have no argument with the tyrannical
and self-implosive history of Democracy or the revulsion the Founders reserved
for it. My questions are based on the soft hostility and even hypocrisy
Christians and Christianity have shown Liberty and Freedom. Second on to life
itself, our greatest freedom is the freedom to choose and come equipped with
the necessity of individual responsibility. But even at that, Freedom to choose
permits one to make choices that contradict Freedom itself – like enslaving
oneself to a dogma or belief system that actually enslaves him. But that is
also a matter of perception; one man’s freedom might be another man’s slavery.

It may be that “Throughout history
when nations have rejected the Creator’s principles of life, they have been
disciplined.” It also may be that those
nations were led by a crazed, greedy, power-hungry moron who got his jollies
thinking he could rule the world. I doubt Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot,
Roosevelt, Truman and my former employer thought much about incurring God’s
wrath doing such dastardly things. Maybe they didn’t go to Sunday School regularly.
But if it is God doing the disciplining of nations, one wonders why He went
along with the unspeakable torture and killing of innocents when He could have
easily just snuffed the bad guys. And let’s not forget, some of those dudes
were Lutherans, Baptists, Catholic, Russian Orthodox, ad nauseam who
(allegedly) believed the same things you profess.

I always try (unsuccessfully most
times) to add this caveat when I write: Next to Carrier pigeons and smoke
signals in a hurricane, writing is the next poorest form of communication. It
deprives the reader of the nuances present in the spoken word, not to mention
the optional body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. That having
been typed, please understand nothing written above is meant to instill anything
other than Thought. No offense intended or implied.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

While I could never rival Tom Sowell - who occasionally publishes similarly titled columns - here are some interesting issues Tom might not be inclined to mention. Comment away!

Have retailers
ruined Christmas? Or are our baser instincts turning us into crazed animals hunting cheap prices on the latest toys? How
much responsibility do retailers have in creating problematic supply/demand
situations? Is this like "hunting over bait"

How did the unnecessary
slaughter of 4 Americans morph into a tawdry “sex scandal”? Beyond media complicity and political
malfeasance, who else should share responsibility? What bona fide reason might
anyone have for believing the “investigation” will turn up anything damning or
something similar will not happen again? And again?

Do network
football game announcers always favor the OTHER school?

Is it OK to lie
to kids about “Santa Claus”? Or is it better to let kids know it’s all a fairy
tale, part of the Holiday tradition – but it’s Mom and Dad, who loved them so
much, they bought them these cool presents?

If
talking/writing about “negative things” (economy, jobs, government, politics) is
such a turn-off, how does one consider and confront serious problems facing us?

Of all the people
ingesting Network News (from any source), how many are aware they are being
deceived, manipulated and used?

My grandparent’s generation didn't like Sinatra. My parent’s generation didn't like Elvis or the Beatles.
My generation doesn't like rap, hip-hop or the current state of pop/CHR. So is
it just generational? Or does today’s music really suck??

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving! What a concept! A time to pause and reflect on what stores will be opening early for Black Friday! To give thanks for higher limits on Visa, MasterBounce, And reflect on the horror stories sure to come out detailing fights, scuffles, shootings, deaths and other tragedies that will mark this holiday forever so when NEXT Thanksgiving comes, more cynics will remember what they were supposed to be thankful for THIS Thanksgiving. (Insert "heavy sigh" sfx here)

But for those of you fortunate to be surrounded with family and friends in your own Norman Rockwell portrait, good for you! Take lots of pictures. Next year, you'll need them to appreciate those holiday pounds you didn't get around to losing!! (I'm only serious!).

Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanks again for all the kind words, articles, posts, comments regarding the recent distractions. Someone famous once said, "This, too, shall pass" -- and it will. Time and circumstance are funny that way.

So what's next? Thanks for asking.....

More regular blog installments. Something about which I've been remiss but now commit to providing. Focus will be through the libertarian window as usual. If you subsequently have comments, questions, enlightenment, the Reply/Comments section will be fully operational.

The Book. This puppy has been in development since 1989. Tragically, two computer crashes, lightening and poor back-up systems, destroyed almost all of the "Early Scribblings". Since there was no way to recreate all of that stream-of-conscious-thought content, I simply started over, trying valiantly to remember what the hell happened?? Plans are to eventually "publish" all or most of the chapters here (audio version included). I'm really looking forward to this part. As close friends would attest, I have a boatload of really great TRUE stories! If you're remotely familiar with Radio, The Business, you will love it. Period.
If you're primarily a Listener, many secrets will be revealed! To quote the late Larry King, it will be "a fun read". (In fact, I don't thing Larry would like it much; he's in it!)

Finally, there are always Other Works in progress. Some big, some not so much -- but all damn interesting.
Trust me: the future here will be compelling, provocative, entertaining and fun. All the things real life should be.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

(If "heaven" caused this, I am now officially an atheist. And whaddaya mean "all"? Do I look "happy"?)

Linda Palik McCann San Antonio, Texas
The Nation and the World have been gifted with Barack Obama as President for another term; a man of rare grace, humility, compassion and intellect. Advancing domestic and international stability will be imperative -- economically and politically. The next four years will be daunting, but President Obama is more than equal to the task. Needed legislation will be passed if the party of opposition joins the governance of the Republic in common cause and compromise.There is no other choice. Public policy must be crafted for the general good. Legislators must serve the country and not their party.

Rogerhq, Sweden
This is great news for America and the entire world. Greetings from Europe, Yes we are celebrating as much as you do! *** FORWARD ***

(Pssst -- have you checked on the PIIGS lately?)

Wyoming, Wyoming
HUUGGGGGE sigh of relief at the outcome.Pres. Obama's speech tonight was another reminder of how lucky we are to have this brilliant, steady man at the helm.As for the nonsense comments about this being the end of our country, it's that type of language that is turning people off from politics and degrading the quality of our civil discourse. We have serious problems ahead and we need to remember how to listen to each other with respect in order to solve them.

(As long as we only just listen to you, right?)

Finally....Who let this dude in?

This was the most important election of my lifetime. It was THE tipping point. We lost this nation tonight. We are no longer a proud nation, just a pathetic European wanna-be.... May God have mercy on us.. We have rejected everything that we once stood for. I grieve not for Obama's reelection but for the fact that I live in a country I no longer recognize and no longer admire. I grieve for the knowledge that millions of my so-called American neighbors willingly sacrificed our liberty to satisfy their own selfish greed. Those who brought about this travesty will suffer just as much as me and my family will, but that is no consolation. My only solace is that I can look my son in the face and tell him that I did what I could to prevent this tragedy....and tell him stories about the great nation we once were.

(Killjoy. Just when the Kool-Aide was tasting like Cabernet...)
We return you now to your favorite memories of what used to be -- or your nightmare of the future.

Monday, November 5, 2012

What a great line to describe the intentional obfuscation of facts committed by CBS News in editing out and withholding Obama's non-"terrorism" comments regarding the Benghazi attacks until "quietly" stuffing the edited piece on Sunday night. What will be "done" about it? Nada. The FCC? Why not the EPA? USDA? FDIC?
If Obama wins, the issue dies. If Romney wins, the New Nice Guy will want to heal (heel?) America's wounds and move forwa -- umm -- move on.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

...this recent post from guest and exemplary blogger, Monty Pelerin is imperative. Share with friends who may be otherwise disposed.

The Issue

It is difficult to adequately
express the importance of this election without sounding overly political or
alarmist. David Solway achieves such a balance in his
description of what is at stake:

The United States of America is
now something alarmingly close to what we might describe as the rogue regime of
Obamerica. The “end,” in the acceptation of “purpose,” of this strange new
nation appears to be the reversal or erasure of its Republican heritage and its
replacement by what Barry Rubin calls a stealth-leftist anti-American substitute.
The projected “end” of Obamerica would seem to be nothing less than the material
end of America as we have known it throughout its storied history. Its
free-market economy is currently in tatters, its competitive edge and
productivity blunted by a meretricious “stimulus” and by redistributionist
economics, its Triple A credit rating downgraded amid concerns about the
government’s budget deficit and rising debt burden, and its unemployment numbers
beyond acceptable. Racial and ethnic divisions have been exacerbated by the
president’s incendiary rhetoric. Owing to Obama’s policies, America’s network of
reliable alliances is in disarray as the program of appeasement and
rapprochement with its adversaries grows ever more emphatic. At the same time
the power and authority of the erstwhile “leader of the free world” has started
demonstrably to wane. And if Obama has his way and is re-elected, he will enjoy,
as he confided to former Russian President Dmitri
Medvedev, even more “flexibility” to pursue his ends.

The looming choice for the U.S. on November 6 of this year is stark and
unforgiving. The re-election of Barack Obama will mean the “end,” in its
terminal sense, of the America of yore, of the constitutional republic on which
the West has grudgingly depended for its defense and prosperity and whose
citizens were once the envy of an ungrateful world. An unprecedented experiment
in free market economics and individual liberty will have fallen victim to an
unscrupulous agenda that intends its demise. Only the end of Obamerica can
prevent the nation’s decline. History is about to be made — or unmade. A victory
for Obamerica can come only at the expense of America itself, and a heretofore
undefeated nation will go down to the first and greatest — and quite possibly
lasting — defeat in the chronicle of its tenure.
This is what is at stake and what American voters will soon determine. Will
it be Obamerica or will it be America? May they choose wisely.

The country is divided along several lines — racial, ethnic, income, cronies,
etc. The most important, for purposes of understanding politics, is the
dependents versus the productive. The Democrat Party has played the dependency
game to its advantage. That is why, despite the worst economic and foreign
policy conditions in over eighty years, this election is considered too close to
call.
Fortunately Barack Obama is an incompetent ideologue or his election would be
ensured. Hopefully he will be defeated and the closeness to the end of the
American way of life will shock people back to their senses. Barack Obama is
merely a symptom of a bigger problem. Elections were never intended to be
life-changing events. From here forward, every election threatens to end the
American way of life unless and until we can return to our Constitutional roots.
Few politicians want to see that happen.
Unless government can be re-caged, we will always be one election away from
disaster. Defeating Barack Obama only pushes the problem off one election. At
some point the American people will choose wrong and their way of life will be
gone. Democracy always destroys itself.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

The "fog of war" has an ugly clone: the fog of media. Maybe it's a good thing. Just as you know you have won the point on principle when your opponent can only launch ad homonyms, it's a guarantee something rotten is being hidden when the gaggle of mainstream media go with "stories" like this. Looks as if they've run out of bodies to throw under the bus. Or maybe they ran out of buses...
It's obvious the Administration, from White House to State to Defense, is stonewalling, parsing, obfuscating, innuendo, dodging and every other SOP to prevent the facts from coming being presented in any logical, cogent manner -- and the media is complicit; they couldn't care less. They successfully kept it from growing the strong legs it properly deserved. The bodies under the bus have become the focus rather than the bodies of the 4 betrayed dead Americans in Benghazi.
Maybe the idea is to get us more concerned about the bus...

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Not just the reality of the cliche: Obama lied; Americans died; the suffocating media apathy is appalling. The chill is from the growing testimony and evidence that the President, Sec.State, Sec Def, Press Sec and other myrmidons have lied and continue to lie to protect their political viability.

Occasional guest Monty Pelerin posts the latest with links to a CIA time-line interview detailing the events of the attack.

And this Exclusive from Catherine Herridge/Fox News
As always, please share with your uninformed friends.